What’s Next in New Mexico?
As these revelations continue to circulate, the obvious question becomes: what happens next? Will there be any effort to reassess the many schools, streets, events, and official recognitions across the state that bear Chavez’s name? For years, his legacy has been treated as untouchable—but if the standard is truly accountability and justice, it raises a difficult but unavoidable question: do those honors still stand, or is a broader reckoning on the horizon?
Here are many the things in New Mexico named after Cesar Chavez, to name a few:
César Chávez Elementary School — Santa Fe
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School — Las Cruces
Cesar Chavez Community School — Albuquerque
Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School — Deming
Cesar Chavez Community Center — Albuquerque
Cesar Chavez Spray Pad — Albuquerque
Cesar Chavez Soccer Park — Albuquerque
Cesar Chavez Park — Santa Fe
Avenida César Chávez — Albuquerque
Cesar Chavez Day — legal public holiday designation in New Mexico statute
César Chávez Day of Service — official state/AmeriCorps observance in New Mexico
Today, I feel for the Hispanic community. Cesar Chavez did do something good for the farm workers, they were being abused by farm owners and it needed to come to the forefront.
Nevertheless, girls and women always fall prey to men with power. This is why we had the #metoo movement to bring awareness to all. Even as I comment I know there are women, girls and boys being abused very day, either sexually or being beaten. It’s the sad part about all of this. Everyone jumping on the band wagon and nothing is being done to protect the girls, boys and women.
Our own congress voted down transparency for those who have been accused of sexual harassment and settlements that were paid, because an allegation can ruin someone’s reputation if the allegation is false. This is why they all voted not to be transparent for fear of being sued…I guess? I don’t know but it does need to be answered.
Where do we start addressing the issue? What laws need to be changed to protect girls, boys and women? When will women fight for women and not party lines? The only people I see always getting hurt is the victim who happens to be a girl, a boy or woman.
I remember someone said to me be very aware of putting your idol on a pedestal because when you meet that person he/she may not be what you expected.